The 606 (Bloomingdale Trail)
4.8(2.2K)google
4.2(180)yelp
Hiking TrailOutdoor
Overview
The 606, officially known as the Bloomingdale Trail, is a brilliant, award-winning example of innovative urban reuse, transformed from an abandoned elevated railway line into a gorgeous 2.7-mile multi-use linear park. Snaking gracefully through the stylish neighborhoods of Wicker Park, Bucktown, and Logan Square, this elevated concrete greenway is beautifully adorned with native prairie plantings, changing public sculpture exhibits, and scenic neighborhood scenic overlooks. It serves as a bustling, traffic-free paradise for local runners, cyclists, and casual strollers looking to experience Chicago's creative neighborhood character from an elevated perspective.
Practical Info
Suggested DurationAbout 1-2 hours
Best TimeEarly mornings or golden sunset hours in spring or early autumn offer the best atmosphere. This elevated multi-use park trail, built on an abandoned rail line, cuts through trendy neighborhoods. Sunset brings out locals jogging and cycling, encapsulating Chicago's neighborhood culture perfectly.
Getting ThereThe trail stretches nearly 3 miles with over a dozen access ramps. The most popular entry point is in Wicker Park: take the 'L' Blue Line to Damen station, walk north for 5 minutes to Bloomingdale Ave, and take the ramp up onto the elevated trail platform.
Travel Tips
- On this 2.7-mile elevated park, only walking, running, skating, and manual biking are permitted (Divvy bike stations are nearby). No e-scooters or motorized personal vehicles are allowed on the trail.
- There are exactly 12 ADA-compliant access ramps spaced roughly every quarter-mile. You cannot exit the elevated path randomly; in case of sudden weather changes, plot your route to the nearest designated ramp.
- Driving is discouraged as there are no dedicated parking lots along the trail. The most seamless option is taking the CTA Blue Line and exiting at either the Western or Damen stations, which put you closest to the access ramps.
Reviews
Positive
- This nearly 3-mile elevated greenway built on a historic rail line offers unique visuals; its modern flora and avant-garde sculptures are fully real.
- The trail is completely free, splicing trendy enclaves like Wicker Park; it preserves amazing raw community peace and outdoor leisure fun.
- The multi-use track features wide, flat rubberized asphalt accessible lanes, backed by smooth access ramps at regular neighborhood street junctions.
- It features well-distributed trash cans, geometric trail signs, and routine bicycle security patrols, keeping the entire landscape pristine.
Heads up
- On beautiful spring and autumn weekend afternoons, runner and cyclist density gets heavily saturated, turning paths chaotic and crowded.
- As a purely functional linear elevated park trail, it features zero permanent public restrooms; emergency needs require exiting down to street delis.
- Because the elevated structure is completely open and lacks mature shade canopies, it gets blindingly hot in summer and bone-chilling in winter.
- The various trail access points drop down into traditional narrow residential alleys with zero municipal lots, making visitor driving parking a battle.